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RAF Wickenby
More about the history of Wickenby Aerodrome
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In those two years of active flying, aircraft from Wickenby saw service in many of the most heavily defended raids of the war. Air Officer Commanding One Group said in 1945, of RAF Wickenby; “Wickenby has one of the finest records of any station. More sorties were flown, more bombs were dropped and more enemy aircraft shot down than any other station in the Group”
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Before early 1942, the area between Holton cum Beckering and Wickenby was peaceful farmland. Then, one morning the farmer on the site was met by two men with briefcases – rumour has it that the bulldozers of Sir Alfred MacAlpine were at work the same day!
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By September 1942, RAF Wickenby was ready to accept its first aircraft – Wellington bombers of 12 Squadron, based at nearby RAF Binbrook. The rapidly growing aerodrome soon became the first station in One Group, Bomber Command, to be equipped with the new Lancaster.
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On 7th November 1942, 626 Squadron was formed out of 12 Squadron’s ‘C’ Flight and both squadrons continued to operate until late 1945. Apart from a brief spell with the Mosquitos of 109 Squadron, November 1945 saw the last service flying from RAF Wickenby.
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After flying ended, the runways were used for explosive storage and demolition, until the early 1950s.
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The cost of this success was very high – 1,139 aircrew from RAF Wickenby were lost on operations. This page is dedicated to their memory. “We will remember them”
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The airfield was deactivated in 1956 and the land sold to local farmer, Mr Cottingham.
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A group of local enthusiasts, led by the late John Frecklington and Bob Merewood, persuaded him to allow them to start Wickenby Flying School and Club with three light aircraft. Much hard work, over six years, cleared the runway and restored, to some extent, the Watch Tower.
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The airfield was purchased and the new venture obtained a full Civil Aviation Authority airfield licence. Over the next thirty three years this became Wickenby Aviation Ltd an aircraft maintenance company and aircraft charter operator, contracted to many large industrial companies. They trained up to 50 Air Cadets each year and hosted many Rothmans and Marlborough aerobatic teams and the National Aerobatic Championships were often held at Wickenby.
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In 1997, John and Bob sold most of the airfield and returned to their first love – classic aircraft. John passed away in August 2017 and we are sorry to report that Bob finally succumbed to a long battle with cancer on 15th May 2022. Wickenby Aviation still retains a hangar and several tailwheel aircraft.
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Aircraft of 12 and 626 Squadrons in 1945
Flight and Ground crews of WR475 believed in 1944
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Wickenby Memorial and Service
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In 1980, a group of ex-aircrew members of 12 and 626 Squadrons set up ‘The Wickenby Register’. Over the years they researched the history of the two squadrons and collected together a considerable collection of photographs, Operational Record Books, Flying Log Books and other documents for safe keeping.
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These documents form the basis of the Wickenby Archive, part of the RAF Wickenby Memorial Collection. The Wickenby Register was also responsible for the building of the Memorial at the gates to Wickenby Aerodrome (and its refurbishment in 2010). The Wickenby Register held their final meet in September 2011 when their members agreed that it would be disbanded and a new committee be set up called “Friends of the Wickenby Archive”. The five members of this committee represent the Airfield, the Wickenby Register and the RAF Wickenby Memorial Collection.
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A memorial service is held every September at the Icarus Memorial – and is normally afforded a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Flight.
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Station History
Wickenby airfield is located 2.5 miles north-west of Wragby, north of the B1399 and just west of Holton cum Beckering. The airfield opened in the summer of 1942, within 1 Group. It was built to Class 'A' standard with three hangars. One T2 was located on the perimeter track, a second T2 was located off the northern perimeter track and B1 was added later to the south-west of the airfield, beyond which were the bomb stores. The communal and accommodation sites were dispersed south of the airfield, and in woodland to the east.
On 25th September 1942, No.12 Squadron arrived from Binbrook with their Wellingtons, converting onto Lancasters in November. On 7th November 1943, 626 Squadron was formed from 'C' Flight of No.12 Squadron. Both squadrons operated from the airfield until the end of the war, No.12 Squadron moved to Binbrook on 24th September 1945, and No.626 Squadron disbanded at Wickenby on 14th October 1945. Arriving on 19th October 1945 was No.109 Squadron, equipped with Mosquitos. Their stay was short and they left for Hemswell on 27th November. The airfield was retained by the RAF and used as an explosive store and disposal facility until the mid 1950s.
Today, Wickenby is a very active general aviation airfield, operated by Lincoln Aviation Ltd. The flying club use the northern parts of the two subsidiary runways, and are based in the watch office. Also in the watch office is the RAF Wickenby Memorial Collection, which includes Wickenby Museum and the Wickenby archive. The B1 hangar still stands and the northern T2 hangar is still in use, supplemented with modern additions. Some of the communal and accommodation buildings can still be seen, although most are in a deteriorating state and are on private land. A the entrance to the flying club there is a memorial to No.12 Squadron and No.626 Squadron, which features a sculpture of Icarus.
For more information on the RAF Wickenby Memorial Collection, please click here
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Station Summary
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Date Squadron Notes
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1942 Station opens.
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September 1942 No.12 SqnOperating the Vickers Wellington and Avro Lancaster. The squadron left Wickenby on 24th September 1945.
November 1943 No.626 SqnOperating the Avro Lancaster. The unit was disbanded at the station on the 14th October 1945.
October 1945 No.109 SqnOperating the de Havilland Mosquito. The squadron left the station on 26th November 1945.
November 1945 All military flying ceased at RAF Wickenby.
December 1945 No.61 MULeft Wickenby in November 1949.
October 1948 No.93 MULeft Wickenby in January 1951.
January 1951No.92 MUThe Maintenance Unit disbanded at the airfield in April 1956.
1956 RAF Wickenby closed.
1964-66 RAF Wickenby cleared and sold-off.
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